Good Morning! The sun is shining but there is a powerful wind blowing. The weatherman said a cold front is moving in; I hope the wind blows it on through ASAP. Bob just came home to change clothes and head to the “new” farm to plow. The spring broke on his garage door so I may have a visitor working in the garage. So far he hasn’t returned Bob’s call. I’m thinking maybe he is gone for Thanksgiving. I’ve got a load of farm clothes in the washer and always feel like I need to run a cleaning cycle after they are done.

Sandy, I have had the same trouble with the site letting me in and than letting me post. Today it says I’m in! The church has made peanut brittle since I’ve been around — 52 years. They used to work all day hours with the men setting up tables and taking them down. Most were farmers and could help during the week days too. The younger women all have jobs now so the older ladies split the work hours between mornings and overlapping some evenings. Either younger ones won’t commit or just don’t show up so it’s questionable from year to year whether or not they will get the job done. My nail salon is Vietnamese also. The couple who own it have three small children with another on the way. They go back to Vietnam to visit relatives periodically; the last time she told me they had nine pieces of luggage! I think they must be relatives but from time to time there is a change in who is working, all young gals who speak very little English.

I need to get busy! Hope you all enjoy a nice day and do something you enjoy!

Good Evening! Once again we started the day with sunshine but the clouds rolled in early in the afternoon. It was 9 degrees when I came downstairs this morning! This was my morning to work in the gift shop and it was pretty busy with employee lookers. We are closed until Monday and then there is a one day sale with 30% off everything. I’m glad I’m not scheduled to work! We received a restaurant gift card so decided to go there for lunch today. Their hamburgers are half pounders so I always bring part of mine home. I brought the gift shop money home and made the deposit this afternoon.

“Gma,” I’ve never heard of stuffing sandwiches. That doesn’t sound good to me. I could help you eat pumpkin pie. The guy came to fix the garage door yesterday and it fell apart again today. He cobbled it together rather than put in a new spring because he didn’t have one on hand. Looks like Bob’s truck will spend a couple more nights outside. We have separate doors, both have the same kind of opener, but my spring has never broken. Bob’s cable on the side broke too. Bob had to put a piece of foam on mine because the back door of the car wouldn’t stay up without clunking against the door.

Guess it is time to think about something for supper. Hope you all enjoy a nice Thanksgiving tomorrow. We are supposed to have sunshine and be in the 50s. I’ll believe it when I see it!

Good Afternoon! It is a warm 60 degrees this afternoon! It would be even better if the sun would stay out and the wind would go away. Strange weather continues! Bob spent the afternoon bagging leaves and hauling them to the landfill. We still have quite a few left on trees but at least the first bunch is gone. One year they were covered with snow and that was a mess. I’ve been sorting clothes! Have another box for the SOS store, a bag of out-of-style clothes for the Good Will, and a pile that I’m debating about!

I need to unload the dishwasher and make a grocery list. Another Snickers salad for Ian’s birthday party on Sunday is on my agenda for tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Good morning to you all. We have had such a busy holiday weekend I never got in here.

Jack went to put the light up in the entranceway and because it is attached to two light switches not one, he has to talk to one of the electricians at work before he finishes it. So we have no entranceway light at the moment. We got things moved around like I wanted, but never did get the leg to the entranceway table glued on so will have to work on that over the next weekend I guess. Jack did get the chair put together though.

Like I said on FB, my pc finally gave up so my new one should be here tomorrow by evening. Thank goodness I don't have budget stuff until the end of the week. Jack put my budget on a flash drive the last time I had an issue with the pc so at least I didn't lose that. Jack thinks he can extract the rest of the stuff off the hard drive and transfer it to the new computer when it comes. I was hoping it would last a bit longer, but I should have known better. We have had it in the shop and they said nothing was wrong with it, but it has gone black three different times and each time was a bit harder to get it to boot up. It is nearly 10 years old though so I guess it stayed it usefulness.

I ordered some little bags to put my circ knitting needles in. They are a canvas so they won't tear and I can write on the tag what size needle is in each bag. I hate having to go and measure them every time I need a circ needle because the size isn't printed on them. I tried marking them with a permanent marker, but the stuff wore off so I am hoping this will work as a permanent solution.

I did finish knitting those gloves for my niece so I need to sew them up and get them shipped to her. I still haven't sewn up my bff's sweater I made for her. Need to get that done too.

Jean: Brr it has been cold at your house. We have actually warmed up a bit and haven't had the furnace kick on. I need to get my leaf guys here soon but the leaves aren't all off yet and we would just have to have them come back. Stuffing sandwiches are popular out in the southwest I guess. I think they are gross. We did get two full meals out the meal from the restaurant and the food was really good. Too bad we can't do it for Christmas, but we would have to pick it up the day before and that ruins the bring it home and eat it thing.

Everyone have a great day and week.

Hi everyone! I double-checked to make sure I was still logged in before I started this post! Sure has been quiet in here. I came in a couple of times to read posts but there was nothing. Guess everyone was busy with the holidays.

Busy week ahead with dr appointments for me & Bill. Our calendar would be blank if it wasn't for those appointments!

GMA: My Bill loves stuffing sandwiches. Never tried one myself. I'll stick with the turkey sandwich! Bill's sister & her family went to Gatlinburg for the holiday & rented a cabin. Said they had a very nice time. She just lost her husband in April & didn't want to stay home for the holiday. We were invited to go but couldn't because of the dog. We usually go to my niece's house anyway. Glad your dinner was good. Cracker Barrel has such good food! Sorry to hear about your PC but glad a new one's on-the-way.

Jean: Yeah, we're waiting for all the leaves to be gone here too so Bill can clean them all up at once. Been having some warmer than average temps here which is nice.

We're having beans & cornbread for dinner tonight & I'm frying some ham steaks for Bill. He's definitely a meat & potatoes man! Ya'll have a great evening!

Good Afternoon! The sun finally came out this afternoon and it was a spring jacket kind of day. Yesterday, when we were in Sioux Falls, we walked around downtown without jackets. Lovely weather for November! We didn’t balance this morning at church; part of it being my fault and partly the other gal. There are too many different people working the front desk and few know how to correctly notate a check coming in for different things going on this time of year. Kids are selling pies and butter braids, Christmas blankets and tools for missions, and the list goes on! Anyhow, my part went ok the first time! This afternoon I had my final post surgery eye exam and picked out new glass frames. If only they had two pair to choose between! It seems like the frames are so much larger and some rest on my fat cheeks. Ugh! Bob is at practice and most likely will be looking for supper when he gets home.

“Gma,” It sounds like you and Jack had a busy weekend! I’d say it is pretty amazing that your pc lasted 10 years! It was 65 here this afternoon, felt warm compared to a few days ago. I’m hoping the snow holds off for a few more weeks! The local restaurant owner that caters fed over 500+ on Thanksgiving Day. She has done this for several years and the turkey plant finally donated the turkeys this year. She doesn’t charge but donations of food and money are welcome. She bought what used to be the Masonic Hall so has room for wedding receptions, etc.

Sandy, I could eat beans and cornbread with you! What kind of beans? When I click to get here my name box is empty but I can still post. Strange gremlins are hanging around! I think I am done with doctor’s appointments until March, dentist in February right before we leave for Maui. Not good planning because she doesn’t take credit cards, and it’s like a trip to WM — $100+.

I need to check on something for supper. Maybe a doctored up frozen pizza. Hope you enjoy a nice evening and a terrific Tuesday tomorrow!

Good morning ladies! It is chilly but supposed to be near 70 today. I am staying in today, but have my mammogram at noon tomorrow. Since it’s just a screening hopefully they aren’t too backed up.

I went and got my nails done and picked up a couple things at WM after but everything was in the back of the store and I had to walk it because there were no electric carts. My knee was killing me. I got my flu shot at the pharmacy so I am done with that.

I am making dr appt next month. He probably won’t be happy as I should have gone in Oct. He sees me every three months, which is ridiculous. I think he’s going to put me on a once a week injection, which I hope won’t aggravate the problem I already have with the metformin. We shall see.

I am so mad. I saw on Saturday they are filling in the swimming pool. It really you know whats me off they are doing this. I figure if they can get overtime working on Sat, that dirtbag manager can use money and fix some stuff and paint. He’s never had the sewer problem fixed and from what he told Jack last time we called, there’s another place in the complex. Sometimes I regret even buying this place but then we didn’t know it would ever come to this. One of the guys on the board who owns a bunch of the condos wants to assess each owner $15,000 apiece to have money for repairs!!!! A bunch of owners fudge on their monthly maintenance so not a chance they’d pay that and neither would we. We just need a new compant to run things, but they won’t vote him out because he’s cheap. Ahh well, we just try and work on our own place little by little.

Sandy: I was going to ask you what kind of beans too. Jack will eat pinto beans but only the way his mom fixed them and that was with sugar in them. I like navy beans and he won’t eat them so if I get a hankering I just buy canned. I use Jiffy corn bread mix because I like the taste. Does you daughter and grandchildren live within driving distance to visit? Our Christmas is always pretty dead too. We have been discussing what we are going to do for Christmas dinner since everything but Ihop and the casinos are closed here. You can’t get stuff to cook for just one meal either. We are not big leftover people. So, who knows.

Jean: I forgot your Maui trip is in just a few months. How many are going this time? Why do you need glasses? I have an uneven bridge on my nose so my glasses would never sit exactly even. I told Jack yesterday the bell ringer was out at WM but everyone but me was ignoring him. I stuffed a few bills in as I always do and they got stuck in that little opening. The man had a stick and he used it to shove them down in the bucket. Lot of Christmas buying yesterday. I get the login thing too, but just bypass it and post with no problem.

Well gals I guess I better get those gloves sewn up so I can ship them. Have a great day.

Good Afternoon and Happy Tuesday! The sun came out around noon which has been the norm lately. It’s breezy and cooler today but still “warm” for November. I had some errands to do this morning and have another load of laundry going. I brought glass frames home for Bob to vote on and took them back this morning. Probably should have waited until after Christmas to order new ones but want to be done with eye stuff; they weren’t busy and I didn’t have to wait. I need to get busy and vacuum fur bunnies this afternoon.

“Gma,” there are two pictures of coats at the end of your post. My first thought they were yours and I thought to myself “the one is so ugly!” Bob’s doctor has him coming every three months too. He is adamant about weight and the three months started when Bob went on Metformin. What is the injection you mentioned? I hope you don’t have to do that! I feel bad about your swimming pool because I know how much you enjoy swimming. It does sound like your condo community needs a new management company. We have several casinos around the area and I have heard they have good food; several advertise buffets but must admit we have never been to any of them. We did go eat at one in Omaha many years ago and it was very good. We are going to Maui with Jason’s in-laws again. The other couple we “cruised” with, will be there a few days before we get there and will leave a few days before we do. They stay in a different condo than we do, but on the same dead end street. They whale watch from land because she gets sea sick in small boats. They like to swim and their condo is next to a huge, but fairly private, public beach. The turtles come up on the beach and they are interesting to watch. Another couple that the in-laws met on a former cruise will also be there and I think staying in our building. Then my doctor and wife, his nurse and hubby, will also be there at the same time as we will be, except for just a week. They have older relatives coming too, so we could run into lots of Iowa people this time. Bob is much better about eating leftovers than I am. I knew before surgery that I would need reading glasses. Everyone I know, who has had the surgery, has had to wear reading glasses afterwards. I still find myself reaching for my contact lens case when I’m getting ready for bed. A 53 year habit is hard to break! I always donate to the buckets too!

I need to get busy and bond with my vacuum. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Good morning ladies. Chilly now but another nice warm day. Weatherman says most of country warm until next week then temps drop.

Gonna work on cleaning downstairs today. I did get the gloves done yesterday so blocked them and they are drying so I can mail them. I think they’re ugly, but that’s the color she wanted. They look better when worn then when off.

Jack’s boss was going to come and put in the entranceway light, but now he’ll come next week. We have something hinky with it because when Jack went to put it in, part of our living room lights would blink or turn off! I think monkeys wired this place back in the 70’s when it was built.

Brother something is screwy with this website. Besides the sign in thing, I was in the middle of typing and it suddenly just clicked over to an advertisement. Weird

We got the new computer set up, but it is an all in one so we have to use the screen that came with it, which is smaller than the one I had. It is a touch screen though, which I doubt I ever use. I’m just glad Jack could transfer everything before it completely went blam. He got it to boot up last night and put everything on a thumb drive, then moved it to the new computer. It has windows 10, which is really gonna take some getting used to.

Jean: Had to laugh over the coat thing. They do show some ugly stuff on these adverts. I too wear readers, but I just buy cheapo ones. They gave me the option of fixing near or farsightedness and I was very nearsighted and wanted it fixed, but didn’t want to pay the extra $2000 an eye to fix both. He wants to put me on a weekly injectable like Trulicity but another brand that Tricare allows. I still have out of pocket no matter what. My blood sugar stays in a fine range, but my A1c for the last year has been a smidge above 7 so he wants to try this. So one big happy Iowa family in Hawaii next year.


I guess I better eat some breakfast then get things started. I did sit and pay bills this AM so at least got one job done. Have a good one today.

Morning ladies! Another beautiful day here. Bill & I were gone most of the day yesterday running errands & he had a dr appointment. He's been having a problem with his left shoulder so he's going for an MRI on Friday. Better him than me. I don't do well with MRIs. Even if they give me something to relax I always feel like my heart's going to jump through my chest.

I fixed great northern beans the other day. We like pinto beans too. And I use Jiffy cornbread mix. Love that stuff! Never heard of cooking beans with sugar.

Jean: I'd love to go to Hawaii some day. But first we want to take an Alaskan cruise. That's so nice of that lady to feed so many at Thanksgiving! Does she do it for Christmas too?

GMA: So sorry to hear about your pool closing. They should reduce your condo assoc fee since the pool won't be an amenity any longer. I had to laugh when you talked about half of your lights going out. This house is over a 100 yrs old & we bought it when we got married knowing it needed lots of work. Anyways, the first night here, I went upstairs to get ready for bed, turned on the lights etc. Went back downstairs for something & when I came back up, the lights were off! Well, after several minutes of "experimenting" we discovered that the upstairs lights were controlled by the switch in the downstairs kitchen. So, if someone turned off the kitchen light, that turned off the bedroom light!

Guess that's it for me ladies. Have a terrific day!

Good Afternoon! The sun has disappeared but it has been shining all day. I can hardly believe it is almost December with the weather that we’ve been having. Guess it goes along with our mixed up spring and summer weather. I have been home all day but haven’t accomplished much that I can brag about. I have bell practice in a half hour so I did mark my music. That is quite the deal about Matt Lauer. I wonder how many more well known men will be announced before it’s no longer news. I’d rather hear about Prince Harry getting married!

“Gma,” I think our temperatures are to start cooling way down next week. “Hinky?” That made me out loud for real! I hope your light is an easy fix. Did you have both lenses implanted, none, or just one? Mine are toric lenses for astigmatism, $600 a piece.

Sandy, now you have the “ugly” coat on your post. I’ve never had an MRI, but Bob has and he didn’t like it at all. He didn’t think he was claustrophobic until they started sliding him in. A nearby hospital has a machine where you sit in a chair of some sort and the machine moves around you. The Alaskan cruise in on my list, just hope we find the right time to go, maybe in 2019.

I need to round up my music and get going. Enjoy your evening!

Good morning! Been busy this morning doing a load of laundry, unloading and loading dishwasher, dusting and vacuuming upstairs and emptying trash, sweeping cobwebs off corners and ceilings and the worst, vacuuming and cleaning the stairs, rails, etc. Whew I’m pooped so now I’m sitting and Jack has the U of Memphis conference champion game on. We still need to get the leg glued on the table in the entranceway and groceries tomorrow. I want to get car vacuumed and washed today, mail those gloves to my niece and Jack is treating me to dinner at Raffertys. They have the best salads.

My mop thing should be here on Monday. Anxious to see how it does. Jack said he wants to shampoo the upstairs next weekend then the new bed comes two weeks from today. The guy should be here next week to help Jack get that chandelier in. We sure need the light in there.

Everyone have a good weekend. Off to fold clothes.

Good Afternoon! It’s been another beautiful day in my neighborhood with 56 for a high temperature this afternoon, sunshine all day, and NO wind. Our church had a craft/vender sale this morning. I need a gift for crafty club but didn’t find anything. I did buy another Pampered Chef cookie cooling rack and a wood grill grate cleaner for Bob’s Christmas gift. Using it is supposed to create grooves in the wood so we’ll see how that works. Then I braved the grocery store; it was having a huge cents off gas sale on certain items and an additional $10 off a $100 order. It doesn’t take long to reach $100! I also got $.60 cents off a gallon of gas, for 20 gallons, in Bob’s truck. However, I am mad! This store no longer carries Jolly Green Giant brand veggies and that’s what I usually buy. They have replaced several of my favorite brands with either their store brand or a brand I’ve never heard of. There were three items they didn’t have at all so I stopped by the other grocery store to get those. There was hardly anyone shopping there! I needed powdered sugar and on the odd brand, in big letters, was “with cornstarch.” The store didn’t have the brand I like so picked C and H brand, at the second store. It had cornstarch listed in the ingredient section. I didn’t know powdered sugar had cornstarch in it! I wonder why.

“Gma,” the ponytail hat looks cute! I need to dust too! When the sun shines in the sliding doors I can see the dust underneath the couch. I don’t know if it is how the air circulates or what, but I could dust that every day. I try to ignore it. I googled the mop you ordered and now can’t remember the name. Anyhow, one of those rumba type vacuums came up. Bob thinks Ernie would like one. I will be anxious to hear how you like it.

I need to unload the dishwasher and think about something for supper. Tomorrow Bob is singing at church and after lunch we are going to see The Texas Tenors. They won America’s Got Talent a few years ago. I am excited about that! Hope you all enjoy a super Sunday!